Abstract (please use no less than 300 words to describe your proposal)

Analog television is the earliest known form of television in the world. It has been providing Japanese citizens news, entertainment, and sports for over 45 years. The television stations in Japan are usually not limited to Tokyo, but have affiliate stations which carry their feeds. For example, in Fukushima, Fukushima Central Television carries Nippon Television's feed and is an affiliate of the Nippon News Network. But now, analog television is being replaced by digital television in the entire country. Digital television launched on December 1, 2003 in the immediate Tokyo area and digital broadcasts spread to the other 46 prefectures of Japan, starting in 2004 and continued until 2010. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit Fukushima, Sendai, and Iwate, which resulted in the postponement of the analog shutdown there until March 31, 2012, when the final analog transmitters shut down. On July 24, 2011, analog television ended operations at noon in the other 44 prefectures. Viewers watching on analog in Japan were so shocked when they saw these blue analog shutdown warning screens: "This analog broadcast ceased at noon today. In the future, please enjoy the digital broadcast. If you need any help, please contact the Ministry of Communications Call Center at 0570-07-0101." The warning screens were required to be shown for 12 hours before the analog television transmitters were shut off. About 80% of the stations involved had instrumental music playing in the background, as well as female narrators. Some stations, like TVh in Hokkaido and KBC in Fukuoka, played the same song.

Track (Wikis and the Public Sector/GLAM - Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums/WikiCulture and Community/Research, Analysis, and Education/Technology and Infrastructure)

Technology and Infrastructure

Length of presentation/talk (if other then 25 minutes, specify how long)

25 Minutes

Will you attend Wikimania if your submission is not accepted?

Yes

Slides or further information (optional)

Special request as to time of presentations (for example - can not present on Saturday)

none

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